Police say the bike was approaching the mini roundabout on Whitehill Drive at the junction with Campion Gardens when it left the road at around 9.25pm on Thursday.

One neighbour, who lives in Campion Gardens, said: “He hit one of the road signs and travelled back across the roundabout.

“I heard on the radio that one of them had died. It’s sad, it’s somebody’s son.”

Three ambulances were called to the scene, according to eye-witnesses, and the road was closed off by police.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man died in a collision in Gateshead. The collision happened around 9.25pm on Thursday, June 9, in Whitehill Drive, near to the junction with Campion Gardens, in Windy Nook

The rider suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

His teenage pillion passenger was also seriously injured but his life is not thought to be in danger.

A pensioner, who also lives in Campion Gardens and did not want to be named, said: “My daughter saw it out of the window. The relatives came last night to the scene.

“The road was closed but they opened it for them when they came in a black car.

“There’s been a lot of near misses in the area but this is the only death since I moved here 35 years ago. The road needs to be looked at.”

The traffic sign was knocked over by the impact near to Windy Nook Nature Park entrance but the road has since reopened.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the crash to contact them on 101 quoting reference 1251 090616.